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Argentina is teetering on the brink of an unpredictable new political era this weekend with an erratic far-right populist known as “El Loco” (the Madman) the slight favourite to become president of South America’s second-largest economy in Sunday’s election. As polls opened on Sunday morning against a backdrop of soaring inflation and widespread poverty, analysts believed Javier Milei, a TV celebrity turned congressman, held a slender advantage over his rival, the finance minister, Sergio Massa, but said the result was too close to call. Massa, a centrist member of Alberto Fernández’s incumbent Peronist administration, unexpectedly won last month’s first round,...

Investors are increasingly concerned Latin America's third-largest economy could soon default as it struggles to repay heavy government borrowing. The peso is down more than 45 percent against the greenback this year, exacerbating pre-existing fears over the country's weakening economy and inflation running at 25.4 percent this year. "I know that these tumultuous situations generate anxiety among many of you ... I understand this, and I want you to know I am making all decisions necessary to protect you," Macri said. Argentina is struggling to cope with yet another financial crisis. Investors are increasingly concerned Latin America's third-largest economy could...

The end of the Peronist hold on Argentine politics and rise of pro-business president Mauricio Macri has heralded in a new age for what was long regarded as one of the most economically unstable nations in Latin America. The former Buenos Aires mayor and businessman won the presidency in 2015, ousting his mercurial populist Peronist predecessor Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. Since coming to power, Macri has worked to restructure a shattered economy ruined by decades of market warping tariffs and subsidies, protectionism, heavy handed regulation, rampant inflation and unsustainable fiscal policies. The center-right president has been able to achieve what...

It Might Help To Think of Donald Trump In The Context of Argentina's Mauricio Macri Note: Our fellow contributor, Nico, lives in Argentina. Nico is a former Muslim, and aspiring American. But until America gets smart and starts accepting former Muslims (and Arab Christians) as the true Asylum seekers they are, I guess Nico will have to live in Argentina (and we'll just have to put sit here with all the Muslims our President wants to import into our country). Because he lives in Argentina, Nico has watched the rise of Argentine President, Mauricio Macri. Mauricio Macri: Mauricio Macri...

There is intense anticipation in the Catholic Church -- and no small amount of anxiety for traditionalists -- over what Pope Francis will say about Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics in a key document expected in the coming weeks. But Francis has already made an intriguing change in this area, albeit one that only concerns the Vatican's arcane diplomatic protocol and a very, very select group: Catholic heads of state. As longtime Vatican-watcher Andrea Tornielli reports, the pontiff has altered the long-standing Vatican custom that if a Catholic president or prime minister (or dictator) who is divorced and remarried...

Mauricio Macri and Gender Ideology in Argentina By Julio Severo Patricia Bullrich, National Security minister in Argentina, has appointed transsexual Mara Perez Reynoso, leader in a homosexual group, as National Coordinator of Diversity. Mauricio Macri Bullrich's aim, who serves under the administration of President Mauricio Macri, is to address as a national security problem gender and diversity issues. As soon as Macri won the presidential election last November, U.S. State Secretary John Kerry congratulated Macri, saying that the U.S. continues to be grateful for Argentina's leadership at the United Nations on the advancement of homosexual issues, and looks forward...

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- President-elect Mauricio Macri's promises to revitalize Argentina's sagging economy with free-market reforms and improve strained relations with the United States resonated with voters, carrying him to a historic win that ended 12 years of often-conflictive rule by President Cristina Fernandez and her late husband. ... snip ]

Pro-market leader Mauricio Macri won Argentina's presidential runoff vote on Sunday, according to exit polls, heralding an end to 12 years of leftist government. Exit polls broadcast by several television channels just after voting closed at 2100 GMT indicated that conservative Macri, 56, had beaten his left-wing rival Daniel Scioli, without giving a breakdown.

Last week’s election in Argentina produced a result that few predicted. Mauricio Macri, the center–right mayor of Buenos Aires, secured almost as many votes as the favorite, Daniel Scioli, the former powerboat racer and governor of the province of Buenos Aires. Scioli, the candidate for the incumbent Front for Victory (FPV) coalition, who the outgoing president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, had reluctantly endorsed, won 36.8 percent of the vote; Macri’s coalition, called “Let’s Change,” won 34.3 percent. To avoid a second round vote, Argentina’s constitution requires that one party receive more than 45 percent of the vote (or at least...